Low marks, Marcus

Tuesday 13 March 2007 00:00 BST

Defeated: the harder Marcus Brigstocke tried, the worse things got

Marcus Brigstocke's opening night was the kind all comedians dread. After his late arrival meant that two support acts had to fill in, the corduroy-clad comedian sauntered onstage hoping to deliver a triumphant display of consummate satire. Instead, he walked off an hour later, utterly defeated by his decidedly flat set.

Maybe the audience was worn out after entertaining spots from Matt Kirshen and Justin Edwards. Maybe the Radio 4 favourite was exhausted after a long day filming with Trevor McDonald. But the main reason for the lacklustre gig was that material was most tired.

Surely a law has been passed banning jokes about 7/7, loan companies and the Pope's past. Not to mention Brigstocke's knee-jerk jibe at Kilroy, whose current profile is too low for lampoonery.

He did not fare much better with a stab at topicality. When he wondered what Lily Allen's talent was, a wag in the crowd shouted out: "Punctuality."

The harder Brigstocke tried, the worse things got. When he pulled out all the stops with a usually reliable routine, his sour comment on the small laugh it garnered hardly won over the audience.

He blamed another failed punchline on a woman walking out mid-pay-off, but if he had been riveting, she might not have left.

This residency should improve now that his television distractions are over and this skilled performer can focus on his act.